Well look who crawled out from under a rock just in time for football season yes it's the often imitated never duplicated, always love and yes I mean always - Lizard! I finally got my 1997 Gateway computer back from the tech guy down the road, he's got her running like a new one - I am still making payments on the damn thing. Here we are the middle of August and less than a week before the start of high school football season - I am sure anticipation is running high for all for city teams. Seems like the last time I was talking about football on kypreps.com I was saying OHS would kick some old ladies ass named Martha Layne Collins - that didn't work out too well for them as it was unbeknownst to me at the time sweet old Martha was a well oiled fighting machine! I am looking forward to another exciting season and all the talks about Monster trucks, decades old wrestling icons and all you can eat BBQ contests and maybe this year we can all finally get along - but I doubt it. With that said lets break this down from a analytical stand point!
2014 PROGNOSTICATION
DC - It is no secret my love for all things that is DC athletics, although I I will be honest with you I have not followed this years football team as closely as I have in years past. I will still make it to most home games and a road game here or there but I kind of feel like I am coming into this season in the dark. Coming off a winning season and what I would call one of the best seasons in recent memory for DC - the panthers have a lot to build on. I could easily see DC being 2-3 in the city/county this year but lets be honest it's probably going to be more like 1-3. I am pretty confident DC will beat Apollo and I feel like they got a good chance to get Owensboro Catholic this year and yes Catholic fans I heard about the Hendo scrimmage score! I don't think anyone is going to touch OHS this season but that is for the next capsule. DC returns several contributing players and I've heard from a few people they got a transfer or two that should be able to help. Phelps, Lecroy and Simpson should be this teams leaders and best players - I look for big things from them this year. This year could be the year DC really turns the corner and becomes a team people somewhat fear to play - instead of being just a bunch of "rich kids". I feel like Coach Kimbrell will have this group ready to play just as he has in years past - It will be interesting to see how they can build from recent success. 2014 regular season prediction - 5-5 with wins over Apollo, Grayson, Muhlenberg, Marshall and Ohio Co. - there is a couple games on this schedule that I could feel could go either way that being the Owensboro Catholic game and the McCracken Co. game. South Warren will be out for revenge and I don't see DC winning that game on the road. I hope I am wrong about the 5-5 record but although I could easily see them going 6-4 again. Which is a really good year for DC in my opinion.
OHS - Expectations are as high as they have ever been in the Joe Prince era for the red devils. Seems like we all say that about every year but I would say it's BG or bust for OHS this year. I realize that is setting the bar really high for this group and time will tell if they can live up to all the hype. Last years trip to semi state I am sure really left a bitter taste and only left them hungry for more this season. I think OHS easily wins the city/county again this year for the 465th time in program history - with no city team getting within 3 touchdowns of them. After that it gets a little bit tougher for OHS as Bowling Green comes to town for one of the states oldest rivalries. You can bet the "Prince-a-manics" have had this purples game circled on their calendar since they got beat by sweet old Martha Layne Collins. OHS doesn't get within 17 of this Bowling Green bunch - this game will be OHS's "super bowl" - but again they won't win this game. At that point I am not sure they lose another game in the regular season other than maybe Warren Central or Henderson Co. - I think OHS is very capable of beating both of those teams but you can always count on at least one hiccup in a high school football season. I don't know a whole lot about this OHS bunch but I do know you can take it to the bank that OHS will have weapons on offense and be fast as hell and they will pursue the football really well - You know this team will have a gob of athletes and a few nasty boys to get it done up front, they always seem to. I know they have several key holes to fill this year and the lose of the Blue kid will be a big void to fill. The Locher kid at QB should be a big asset for them. Other than that there is several questions that remain to answered and as cliche as it sounds only time will tell. 2014 regular season prediction - 9-1 with their only loss being Bowling Green high. This bunch should have everything it takes to have a really good year - although it is very possible to have a few bumps in the road and go 8-2 or 7-3. I think they will struggle with WC and Henderson and could very well lose to those teams - but I don't see anyone else giving them trouble in the regular season. I still look for OHS to make a deep playoff run and quite possibly playing for the state title come December with the real threat of Franklin-Simpson standing in their way.
Apollo - Coming into the third season for Dan Crume and 3 consecutive two win seasons for this Apollo squad. It seems like wins are hard to come by in recent years for Apollo but Crume and company will be looking to get this program back to were it was in the late 90's. This Apollo group has already been through a lot this year - more than any team should ever have to deal with. With the sudden loss of one of their players and from what I understand was going to be one of their better players - maybe this team can rally behind the loss of a teammate and string together some wins this year. I would sure like to see that happen to honor the life of this young man! In the 3rd year of a head coach he should pretty much have a tight hold on the program and I think you should really be able to tell were a program is going in that 3rd year - for the better or the worse. We should see that this year from Apollo. I am not sure what all Apollo returns but from the looks at their online roster they will be pretty young - but that doesn't always mean the worst I know from watching them play DC the last couple years it seemed like they had a lot of young players on the field. 2014 regular season prediction - 4-6 with wins coming from one of the city/county games - and maybe that win would be against Owensboro Catholic being the first game of the year. You know this Apollo bunch will be fired up to play their first game and will have a lot to play for - and I mean a lot. It will be a very emotional game and I think they could very well beat OC that first game. Its at home for Apollo and I can bet you it will be a big deal! After that I think they beat Hopkins Central, Greenwood, Ohio Co. and I think they sneak in there and upset either Graves, Christian or Hoptown giving them 4 wins for the season. Although I could easily seem them really coming together and going 5-5 or maybe even 6-4 which would really be something to build on. As I said before I would really like to see them have a good year for all they have been through thus far.
Owensboro Catholic - What can you say about his bunch - they are always sneaky good. John Edge is one of the best coaches in this area and he always has his teams overachieving. I think he is one of the best at getting the most out of his players and really getting them to buy into what he is trying to do. With 3 maybe 4 state title appearances in recent years - I am not sure how many now but he is one of the most proven coaches throughout the state and which I have said for a long time OC is very lucky to still have him. With that said I do think they play a somewhat watered down scheduled in 2A. There are a lot of teams around the state that could beat Todd County Central, Mclean Co and Curdsville school for the astigmatism or who ever else they play throughout the year. They should beat those teams year in and year out and they way the KHSAA playoffs is set up now they are most always going to make a deep in come November - b/c of the weak teams they play the first couple rounds. Although Murray has been their kryptonite the last few years. I do think Zuberer will be great at QB this year - he is a helluva athlete. I am sure it will be the usual cast of character for Owensboro Catholic again this year - you can bet there will always be a Ebelhar or two on the team along with maybe a few Kamuf's, O'Bryan's, or a Thompson here or there. All kidding aside this team should be as steady as they are every year. 2014 regular season prediction - 7-3 with losses coming from OHS, Apollo and I think they will have a off night and get beat either by South Spencer or Butler Co. This team could easily go 8-2 maybe even 9-1 it wouldn't surprise me one bit. They will be good and don't think for one minute that can't won't make a run in the playoffs.
*Disclaimer*
With all four area teams "prognosticated" please realize that this is just my opinion which I have said on here many times don't amount to squat. Take it for what it's worth - which ain't much what so ever! As I have made it aware before on here I like to see all area teams compete and do well - just some more than others!
Good luck to all area teams this year and look forward to bickering back and forth between some of you "3rd region junkies"!
This post was edited on 8/17 9:08 AM by thelizardking1
2014 PROGNOSTICATION
DC - It is no secret my love for all things that is DC athletics, although I I will be honest with you I have not followed this years football team as closely as I have in years past. I will still make it to most home games and a road game here or there but I kind of feel like I am coming into this season in the dark. Coming off a winning season and what I would call one of the best seasons in recent memory for DC - the panthers have a lot to build on. I could easily see DC being 2-3 in the city/county this year but lets be honest it's probably going to be more like 1-3. I am pretty confident DC will beat Apollo and I feel like they got a good chance to get Owensboro Catholic this year and yes Catholic fans I heard about the Hendo scrimmage score! I don't think anyone is going to touch OHS this season but that is for the next capsule. DC returns several contributing players and I've heard from a few people they got a transfer or two that should be able to help. Phelps, Lecroy and Simpson should be this teams leaders and best players - I look for big things from them this year. This year could be the year DC really turns the corner and becomes a team people somewhat fear to play - instead of being just a bunch of "rich kids". I feel like Coach Kimbrell will have this group ready to play just as he has in years past - It will be interesting to see how they can build from recent success. 2014 regular season prediction - 5-5 with wins over Apollo, Grayson, Muhlenberg, Marshall and Ohio Co. - there is a couple games on this schedule that I could feel could go either way that being the Owensboro Catholic game and the McCracken Co. game. South Warren will be out for revenge and I don't see DC winning that game on the road. I hope I am wrong about the 5-5 record but although I could easily see them going 6-4 again. Which is a really good year for DC in my opinion.
OHS - Expectations are as high as they have ever been in the Joe Prince era for the red devils. Seems like we all say that about every year but I would say it's BG or bust for OHS this year. I realize that is setting the bar really high for this group and time will tell if they can live up to all the hype. Last years trip to semi state I am sure really left a bitter taste and only left them hungry for more this season. I think OHS easily wins the city/county again this year for the 465th time in program history - with no city team getting within 3 touchdowns of them. After that it gets a little bit tougher for OHS as Bowling Green comes to town for one of the states oldest rivalries. You can bet the "Prince-a-manics" have had this purples game circled on their calendar since they got beat by sweet old Martha Layne Collins. OHS doesn't get within 17 of this Bowling Green bunch - this game will be OHS's "super bowl" - but again they won't win this game. At that point I am not sure they lose another game in the regular season other than maybe Warren Central or Henderson Co. - I think OHS is very capable of beating both of those teams but you can always count on at least one hiccup in a high school football season. I don't know a whole lot about this OHS bunch but I do know you can take it to the bank that OHS will have weapons on offense and be fast as hell and they will pursue the football really well - You know this team will have a gob of athletes and a few nasty boys to get it done up front, they always seem to. I know they have several key holes to fill this year and the lose of the Blue kid will be a big void to fill. The Locher kid at QB should be a big asset for them. Other than that there is several questions that remain to answered and as cliche as it sounds only time will tell. 2014 regular season prediction - 9-1 with their only loss being Bowling Green high. This bunch should have everything it takes to have a really good year - although it is very possible to have a few bumps in the road and go 8-2 or 7-3. I think they will struggle with WC and Henderson and could very well lose to those teams - but I don't see anyone else giving them trouble in the regular season. I still look for OHS to make a deep playoff run and quite possibly playing for the state title come December with the real threat of Franklin-Simpson standing in their way.
Apollo - Coming into the third season for Dan Crume and 3 consecutive two win seasons for this Apollo squad. It seems like wins are hard to come by in recent years for Apollo but Crume and company will be looking to get this program back to were it was in the late 90's. This Apollo group has already been through a lot this year - more than any team should ever have to deal with. With the sudden loss of one of their players and from what I understand was going to be one of their better players - maybe this team can rally behind the loss of a teammate and string together some wins this year. I would sure like to see that happen to honor the life of this young man! In the 3rd year of a head coach he should pretty much have a tight hold on the program and I think you should really be able to tell were a program is going in that 3rd year - for the better or the worse. We should see that this year from Apollo. I am not sure what all Apollo returns but from the looks at their online roster they will be pretty young - but that doesn't always mean the worst I know from watching them play DC the last couple years it seemed like they had a lot of young players on the field. 2014 regular season prediction - 4-6 with wins coming from one of the city/county games - and maybe that win would be against Owensboro Catholic being the first game of the year. You know this Apollo bunch will be fired up to play their first game and will have a lot to play for - and I mean a lot. It will be a very emotional game and I think they could very well beat OC that first game. Its at home for Apollo and I can bet you it will be a big deal! After that I think they beat Hopkins Central, Greenwood, Ohio Co. and I think they sneak in there and upset either Graves, Christian or Hoptown giving them 4 wins for the season. Although I could easily seem them really coming together and going 5-5 or maybe even 6-4 which would really be something to build on. As I said before I would really like to see them have a good year for all they have been through thus far.
Owensboro Catholic - What can you say about his bunch - they are always sneaky good. John Edge is one of the best coaches in this area and he always has his teams overachieving. I think he is one of the best at getting the most out of his players and really getting them to buy into what he is trying to do. With 3 maybe 4 state title appearances in recent years - I am not sure how many now but he is one of the most proven coaches throughout the state and which I have said for a long time OC is very lucky to still have him. With that said I do think they play a somewhat watered down scheduled in 2A. There are a lot of teams around the state that could beat Todd County Central, Mclean Co and Curdsville school for the astigmatism or who ever else they play throughout the year. They should beat those teams year in and year out and they way the KHSAA playoffs is set up now they are most always going to make a deep in come November - b/c of the weak teams they play the first couple rounds. Although Murray has been their kryptonite the last few years. I do think Zuberer will be great at QB this year - he is a helluva athlete. I am sure it will be the usual cast of character for Owensboro Catholic again this year - you can bet there will always be a Ebelhar or two on the team along with maybe a few Kamuf's, O'Bryan's, or a Thompson here or there. All kidding aside this team should be as steady as they are every year. 2014 regular season prediction - 7-3 with losses coming from OHS, Apollo and I think they will have a off night and get beat either by South Spencer or Butler Co. This team could easily go 8-2 maybe even 9-1 it wouldn't surprise me one bit. They will be good and don't think for one minute that can't won't make a run in the playoffs.
*Disclaimer*
With all four area teams "prognosticated" please realize that this is just my opinion which I have said on here many times don't amount to squat. Take it for what it's worth - which ain't much what so ever! As I have made it aware before on here I like to see all area teams compete and do well - just some more than others!
This post was edited on 8/17 9:08 AM by thelizardking1
